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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, August 3, 2009

Boxing: Thousands expected for ex-champ Forrest's funeral


Associated Press

ATLANTA — Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield was an early arrival among the thousands expected to turn out on Monday to remember three-time boxing champion Vernon Forrest, who was killed in an attempted robbery.

The funeral service is at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, just east of Atlanta. Other notables, including boxers Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley and R&B singer Frankie Beverly, are expected to attend.

Forrest, who was 38, was found shot to death just over a week ago. Through video, police believe at least three and possibly four people were involved in the robbery and homicide.

Police say Forrest exchanged gunfire with robbery suspects before being shot in the back.

Forrest gained notoriety when he became the first boxer to defeat Mosley.